Living like it was Yesterday!

Ok... so I'm just going to ignore today's date!

I used to look forward to this date every year, but today my mind has changed. I want to live like it was yesterday, or if I could do that, I wish I could live like it was a couple years ago.

20 something years ago, my mom went into labor and 45 short mins later I was here screaming my lungs out. Those were the days... not a care in the world, not that I want to be a baby anymore, but I hate the idea of getting older. Ehhh...

Look how cute I was when I was a fat lil' baby... I'm the one in the blanket, my sister not even able to hold me. Ha! Thank goodness I have filled into my own skin over the years!



I guess I can't change do anything about the date, or the year, or how many years I become today, but rather keep living it up like I'm still young and alive!

Hope your day is fabulous!

The Knot 2009 Winner!

Ring... Ring... Ring...

"Hi, this is Abby Veldman!"

"Hi Abby, this is Kathy from The Knot. I just wanted to call to let you know that you were voted one of the top wedding photographers for the Detroit area this year and your name will be listed in the newest issue of The Knot Michigan Magazine out December 1st."



"Really? Is this a joke?" (ha!)

So that is similar to what happened, ha! I was so excited! Wow...Seriously! I cannot believe it! I am speechless and am amazed at the year it's been! I'm so grateful for even being thought of, let alone one of the best wedding photographers in Detroit. What a HUGE honor! Thank you to everyone who reads this, supports us, thinks of us, laughs at us (it's ok... I laugh at some of the things I say as well!), and more importantly has helped make us being one of the best possible... without you all, I would be twiddling my thumbs all day pretty close to developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to you all!

Izzy B...

You know when you're young and you got picked on by one of your siblings? Been terrorized by one? Picked on? Made fun of? You get my point... I had one of those.

Well years later that sibling becomes one really supportive, sweet, caring, genuine, heartfelt, warm, loving, best friend. Yes, my sister and I are closer than we ever were when we shared the same room. She is my best friend and I love her more than words can describe.

I look at her little family now and my heart melts because I know she's doing an amazing job raising such a sweet and super funny little girl. I'm not even kidding, this little girl is going to be hilarious, and it doesn't suprise me being raised by two extremely fun parents. She's already playing possom when it's time for bed, or mocking my brother-in-law, or waking up saying "uh-oh". She's not only showing her personality, but is sooo loving, giving hugs and kisses all the time. I love it and I love her so much!

Check her out as she growing so fast!!!

Such a sweet little girl she is becoming...



Look at that smile... or I should say laugh!



HIL-ARIOUS!



My Favorite ever... look at that silly face, she has so much personality!



Did I say she won't sit still for too long? Well she won't!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone...

I hope you were able to spend your time with friends and family and even got a few pieces of turkey to add to it.

After looking at this photo, I kind of felt pretty bad by eating some, anyone else? Ha!

ONE!

Warning: Just note that this gets a little gooshy!

Happy Anniversary to my one and only!

I have loved you for five years now, and each year that passes I feel more love than the first day we met. For those of you who don't know "our" story, what a great time to tell it on this memorial day!

I met Todd my Junior year in college, he was a Sophomore, (Yes yes, I'm the older one... Ha!) while there was a pretty bad storm coming through our school. Everyone was outside checking it out, some even wanted to chase it down, but as I was out scoping it out I noticed him and some of his friends were checking out the storm through the window of their dorm. I knew a couple of his friends, and being the rebel I am, I broke the "boys-only-in-the-dorm" rule, and went up to where they were to check join in on watching the storm.

Fast forward a year, it's my senior year/his junior year. It's preseason soccer for me, new student orientation leadership for him, him and his friends were having a get together at his apartment and I came by with some of my friends, him and I ended up talking for quite a few hours and our friendship, literally, blossomed from that moment. My roommate and I would run after practice and a few others would join us, one of those people included him. We ended up always being the ones to run next to each other and talking about anything and everything. A few months of hanging out... he decided to take me to Michigan to see the sites of Detroit. It was a pretty interesting trip... and from then on, we continued bonding and enjoying each others company, and although there was never a question or statement of "Will you go out with me? Circle 'yes' or 'no'," (Ha!) we both knew how we were feeling for each other and our relationship grew even more.

Fast forward another 6 months to my graduation, Todd offered to have me move in with his family since I wanted to get a fresh place to start my own photography business. Everything fell into place perfectly! The summer was awesome, I got to get to know not only him a bit more, but also his family who I had only met just a few times. We made it through that long year of him being at school, me being here starting my indepence and then on June 13 2006, Todd proposed! It was ONE of the best days of my life. After the 5 1/2 months of our engagement, we tied the knot... November 25, 2006. A beautiful and flawless day of November! Absolutely PERFECT!

I am so thankful for my husband, Todd! I honestly do not know or even want to know what life would be like without him. He builds me up each day, teaches me new things, amazes me by his knowledge, he makes me laugh like no one else can, he has a heart so big it would probably stretch all the way around the world, his love for me is so warm and feels so unconditional, and he is someone I can always count on and trust completely. I have no doubts when I am with him, and know that our life together is so beautiful! I wouldn't change one thing and am so grateful I have been able to share all this time I've had with him!

Mwaaaa... I love you and am so thankful for you!

#2 and Steve & Katie :: Engagements

So I can't believe Thanksgiving is just 2 days away...

I have been in Indiana for the last couple days and have realized how blessed I am to have such a great family, I'm talking both by blood and by marrying into a whole other family. I hear a lot of horror stories about families and in-laws, and I am SOOOO glad I'm not one of those people. I have a great family filled with lots of love and friendship, and when I married Todd I got even more of that love and friendship with his side! It's so great and that's why my number two is being thankful for such a wonderful family on both sides! I love all of them so much, and am so grateful for them all! Big Hugs & Kisses to your way! Mwwaaa...

Onto the real stars of this post, not that my family isn't stars...

But I traveled over to the Windy City for this shoot, which was awesome! Steve and Katie are such a sweet and loving couple that spending time with them was like I had known them for years. We had lots of fun traveling around Chicago, (Ok, that part was a lie, it can be quite frustrating to travel around Chicago with traffic and parking). But other than that... we had a great time... I love Chicago so it was great to be able to do some photos there in the heart of the city and get to know Steve and Katie so much better. I'm so excited for the wedding next year, as I'm sure it's going to be a beautiful wedding with such a beautiful and fun couple!

Thanks guys for the great session... note to self, on the day of the wedding bring snacks for Steve... ha! :) Enjoy!


The cute couple being cute!



It's common to have trains come by... and almost the minute we got down there... look what went by!



Love it... (right behind them is Soldier Field, where the Chicago Bears play)





Smile Steve...



How sweet he is to Katie...



And he'll do anything to make her smile!



So in love...



I love how the buildings in the city are so tall... it adds some great background for sure!



Mmm...



What a beautiful day it was...



They look amazing together...



And LOVE to laugh... these next two are my favorites...







Mmm... another favorite...



Magnificent Mile... so cool!



What a place... just a hidden gem in Chicago





Awww...

NUMBER THREE!

I love lots of things about my life... I'm a pretty lovable person as it is, but one of those 'things' that I absolutely love more than anything has been my new-found love for my yoga practice. I've dabbled into yoga a little over the years, and have always enjoyed the part after my workout when I can just stretch out those hard worked muscles. I always thought yoga was not a workout... little did I know the benefits of yoga. It has become part of my daily routine and has become something that I am so thankful I chose to make it a part of my life. The benefits both physically and mentally are so positive that I'm not sure what I was missing all those years!

Namaste!